Yesterday, during his routine annual physical at the Cooper Clinicin Dallas, Texas, doctors discovered a blockage and immediately prescribed and scheduled surgery to place a stent to keep the artery open. Bush 43 then went to Texas HealthPresbyterian Hospital, where he underwent the surgery, which officials have described as successful. The former President expects to resume his normal slate of activities tomorrow.

By most available accounts, Mr. Bush was not experiencing symptoms prior to his physical. It is likely that a stress test revealed information that led to the rapid action. Of course, the fact that he is a former President of the United States undoubtedly also played a role in executing the nearly instant post-diagnosis procedure.

Heart surgery is obviously a matter of serious consequence. It is a procedure conducted only after considerable, even if quick thought. For doctors, the decision to choose between bypass surgery and implanting a stent is complicated. It may depend upon the perceived seriousness of the blockage, and of course, the health of the patient. The most severe cases likely result in bypass, while the less invasivestent is the probable choice for less severe cases.

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